Friday, January 8, 2010
Good Things Are Happening
FREEDOM WRITERS - ENGAGING STUDENTS THROUGH WRITING
Erin Gruwell, an educator and president of the Freedom Writers Foundation, will be visiting Edmonton Public Schools on January 11 and 12 to present to staff, teachers and parents. By using celebrated books such as Anne Frank's Diary and Zlata's Diary, Erin transformed the lives of her students in Long Beach, California by encouraging them to celebrate their diversity and rethink the traditional beliefs they had about themselves and others; to reconsider daily decisions; and to take charge of their futures. Erin and her students shared their experiences in The Freedom Writers Diary.
Erin was first invited by a Grade 8 class at Dickinsfield School to come to Edmonton. Their classroom teacher had used Erin's book to motivate her students. By using the strategies in the book, the teacher was able to engage them through their writing and saw an overall improvement in their literacy skills. When the teacher started the program, most of her Grade 8 students were at the Grade 4 writing level at the start of the 2008-09 school year. By the end of the year, 16 out of 17 students were at grade level.
On January 11, Edmonton Public Schools is hosting a professional learning day for all schools entitled Engaging Students Through Writing. The session takes place at the Fantasyland Hotel from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In addition to hearing Erin speak, teachers will learn how to increase students' engagement and resiliency through writing, how to use writing as a tool to make meaningful learning opportunities, and how to use writing to reach the hearts and minds of students. In the evening, Erin is the keynote at a parent session at the Fantasyland Hotel.On January 12, students in Grades 5 to 12 have been invited to come and hear Erin speak at one of two sessions: Harry Ainlay from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and at Ross Sheppard from 1 to 2 p.m.
Erin and her students have appeared on numerous television shows and, in 2007, Hillary Swank played Erin in the film Freedom Writers, which was based on their inspirational journey.
Further information:
Sally Hampton, Project Coordinator
Edmonton Public Schools
780 668-4413
Edmonton Public Schools is helping to shape the future in every one of our classrooms. We’re focused on ensuring each student learns to their full potential and develops the ability, passion and imagination to pursue their dreams and contribute to their community.
Edmonton Public Schools
Centre for Education
1 Kingsway NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5H 4G9